Dynamics of block turning on rocky slopes
This work presents the dynamic analysis of a block turning process on a rocky slope. For this, the Toppling_UN program was created, which is capable of reproducing the movement of a block system. The program was formulated based on the Discrete Element Method (DEM). This method is a numerical procedure that allows studying the movement of a system of particles, in this case rigid blocks, from the calculation of the interaction between blocks. The collision forces between blocks are simulated by means of rheological units, while the motion is calculated through a set of equations that arise from Newton's second law. The program is applied on a rocky slope that is susceptible to tumbling. As a result, the force, speed and displacement of each of the blocks that make up the slope are obtained. With this information, the dynamic behavior of the slope is analyzed for different values in the friction angle of the blocks. In the end, it can be seen that, although the slope is established, it is possible that a series of local movements may occur due to the individual instability of the blocks.